R3/4863

Letter Mr Bennett had informed Mr Haedy when Mr Gearing died that his family would be left clear of debt. This has not proved to be the case. Mr Duncombe has informed Mr Gearing's widow that she cannot have the house. The Duchess of Bedford has undertaken to pay Mr Perkin's bill for attending Gearing and also the funeral expenses. This will enable the widow to pay everyone but she will have nothing left. To extend the pension to the widow is out of the question but Bennett suggests a gift equal to a year's pension in advance might be a means of giving "the poor woman" a start in some way so that she could maintain herself and bring up her younger children. Bennett will see about the memorial to the Postmaster General as the Duke has offered to present it. He goes on to discuss the postal system, "(it seems absurd to be living within seven miles of Leighton where the Post Office is open till 9.0 and that ours should be closed at a little after six in order to send the bag to Wolverton and Newport - 14 miles)". He points out that it is more of a problem in the country than in the town - he has often come home to find letters which ought to be replied to and he has been too late for the post. He asks if the Duke would like a morning delivery which could be arranged. The Duke might like the morning papers when he is at the Abbey. There has been a misunderstanding over Mr Cooke's purchase. It is at Milton Bryan not Eversholt and was bought from Mr Cooke of Milton not Mr John Cooke of Bedford (probably prior to 1800). He then discussed the proposal to remove Joseph Ring to Chance's Lodge for the better protection of Hey Wood, as an opportunity might arise but if the Lodge at the Ridgmont entrance is thought preferable he does not see any objection to an exchange with a man on the Brogborough side. He comments that, if the Duke proposes to protect the same amount of ground as at present, the staff of keepers is not strong enough and discusses this at length. He then deals with Mr Murdoch and Mr Elger's speeches at a recent meeting. There has evidently been some criticism of the way repairs on the Woburn Estate are conducted and he does not see that this has to do with the Rail from London to Manchester. He thinks Mr Green prompted this because he has previously given the Oakley foreman a lift in his chaise and questioned him about the quantity, quality and price of material being used and work being done. Mr Hacker's foreman are not interested in any information beyond the way in which the work is to be done. He suggests that a man who styles himself "a leading merchant" ought to be a gentleman. He says that Mr Murdoch claims acquaintance with the late Duke and shows considerable interest in the affairs of the present Duke.

26 May 1844

From: 1844 To: 1844

item

Haedy, C,
Gearing,
Bennett,
Duncombe,
Bedford, Duchess of,
Cooke,
Cooke, John,
Ring, Joseph,
Murdoch,
Elger,
Green,
Hacker

postmasters, foreman, merchant, letters, WOBURN, Woburn Abbey, LEIGHTON BUZZARD, Wolverton, Newport Pagnell, MILTON BRYAN, EVERSHOLT, BEDFORD, RIDGMONT, BROGBOROUGH, London, Manchester, OAKLEY